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IMDbPro

Escape from Pretoria

  • 20202020
  • PG-13PG-13
  • 1h 46m
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
36K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,313
974
Daniel Radcliffe and Daniel Webber in Escape from Pretoria (2020)
Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter) stars as Tim Jenkin, a real-life ANC activist who was branded a terrorist - and imprisoned - in Africa's maximum-security Pretoria prison in the late 1970's during Apartheid. Along with two fellow freedom fighters, played by Daniel Webber (The Punisher, The Dirt) and Mark Leonard Winter (The Dressmaker), Tim made a complex and daring escape 18 months into his incarceration using handcrafted wooden keys. The ingenious escape attempt happened 40 years ago on 11th December 1979.
Play trailer2:30
3 Videos
99+ Photos
CrimeMysteryThriller
Based on the real-life prison break of two political captives, Escape From Pretoria is a race-against-time thriller set in the tumultuous apartheid days of South Africa.Based on the real-life prison break of two political captives, Escape From Pretoria is a race-against-time thriller set in the tumultuous apartheid days of South Africa.Based on the real-life prison break of two political captives, Escape From Pretoria is a race-against-time thriller set in the tumultuous apartheid days of South Africa.
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
36K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,313
974
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Director
      • Francis Annan
    • Writers
      • Francis Annan(screenplay by)
      • L.H. Adams(screenplay by)
      • Tim Jenkin(inspired by the book "Escape from Pretoria" by Tim Jenkin)
    • Stars
      • Daniel Radcliffe
      • Daniel Webber
      • Ian Hart
    Top credits
    • Director
      • Francis Annan
    • Writers
      • Francis Annan(screenplay by)
      • L.H. Adams(screenplay by)
      • Tim Jenkin(inspired by the book "Escape from Pretoria" by Tim Jenkin)
    • Stars
      • Daniel Radcliffe
      • Daniel Webber
      • Ian Hart
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 280User reviews
    • 72Critic reviews
    • 56Metascore
    • Awards
      • 2 nominations

    Videos3

    UK Trailer
    Trailer 2:30
    UK Trailer
    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:32
    Official Trailer
    Escape from Pretoria
    Trailer 2:32
    Escape from Pretoria

    Photos192

    Daniel Radcliffe at an event for Escape from Pretoria (2020)
    Daniel Radcliffe in Escape from Pretoria (2020)
    Daniel Radcliffe and Daniel Webber in Escape from Pretoria (2020)
    Daniel Radcliffe and Daniel Webber in Escape from Pretoria (2020)
    Daniel Radcliffe in Escape from Pretoria (2020)
    Daniel Radcliffe and Daniel Webber in Escape from Pretoria (2020)
    Daniel Radcliffe in Escape from Pretoria (2020)
    Daniel Radcliffe and Daniel Webber in Escape from Pretoria (2020)
    Daniel Radcliffe and Daniel Webber in Escape from Pretoria (2020)
    Daniel Radcliffe in Escape from Pretoria (2020)
    Daniel Radcliffe in Escape from Pretoria (2020)
    Escape from Pretoria (2020)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Daniel Radcliffe
    Daniel Radcliffe
    • Tim Jenkin
    Daniel Webber
    Daniel Webber
    • Stephen Lee
    Ian Hart
    Ian Hart
    • Denis Goldberg
    Mark Leonard Winter
    Mark Leonard Winter
    • Leonard Fontaine
    Nathan Page
    Nathan Page
    • Mongo
    Grant Piro
    Grant Piro
    • Schnepel
    Lenny Firth
    • Vermellen
    Lliam Amor
    Lliam Amor
    • Kitson
    Adam Tuominen
    Adam Tuominen
    • Jeremy
    PJ Oaten
    PJ Oaten
    • Rabkin
    Ratidzo Mambo
    Ratidzo Mambo
    • Daphne
    Vuyo Loko
    • Potluck
    Maris J. Caune
    • Loggie
    • (as Maris J Caune)
    Adam Ovadia
    Adam Ovadia
    • Van Wyk
    Rory Walker
    • Walter
    Genevieve Mooy
    • Marcia
    Jeanette Cronin
    Jeanette Cronin
    • Mary
    Stephen Hunter
    Stephen Hunter
    • Peter
    • Director
      • Francis Annan
    • Writers
      • Francis Annan(screenplay by)
      • L.H. Adams(screenplay by)
      • Tim Jenkin(inspired by the book "Escape from Pretoria" by Tim Jenkin)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The chisel used at Door 10 in the film is the actual chisel used in the escape. Tim Jenkin had kept it through the years and lent it to the production.
    • Goofs
      When Tim and Leonard exit from hiding in the storage closet, the closet door is left ajar. A few minutes later when Leonard is checking for the guard, a shot of the staircase shows the closet door closed. When Tim and Leonard return to hide, the closet door is ajar again.
    • Quotes

      Denis Goldberg: Don't run away, stay and fight!

      Tim Jenkin: [holds up a key] This is how we fight!

    • Connections
      Referenced in Escape from Pretoria: Cast Interviews (2020)

    User reviews280

    Review
    Top review
    6/10
    Great thrills, but character development is lacking! [+64%]
    You can't deny the fact that Escape from Pretoria is a neat little jailbreak thriller, but it could have been so much more had more light been thrown on the film's lead characters. These guys have essential roles in apartheid history. The impact of their escape could have had a much greater payoff if writer-director Francis Annan had given us more character development. That's what makes good thrillers great: giving audiences reasons to care for the protagonists to succeed, even if they're doing something illegal. Escape from Pretoria is tremendous fun to watch, especially in its final 30 minutes, when the actual jailbreak is in progress.

    For a good portion of the first two acts, the makers focus solely on the aspect of trial & error key-making. Radcliffe (as Tim Jenkin) is the clear main-man here, with Webber (as Stephen Lee) playing more of a side-kick role. Mark Leonard Winter (as Leonard Fontaine) rounds off the lead trio, remarkably showcasing his desperation to escape. The thrills are effectively placed and shot, with David Hirschfelder's score raising the stakes during tension-filled scenes. While it's a far from perfect jailbreak thriller, Escape from Pretoria manages to retain your attention all through and delivers a mostly enjoyable fare.
    helpful•6
    0
    • arungeorge13
    • Nov 11, 2021

    FAQ2

    • Are there more recent high-profile prison breaks in South Africa?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 6, 2020 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United Kingdom
      • Australia
      • United States
      • South Africa
      • Germany
    • Official sites
      • Official SAFC Media Release
      • Official site (Japan)
    • Languages
      • English
      • French
      • Afrikaans
    • Also known as
      • Phi Vụ Đào Tẩu
    • Filming locations
      • Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
    • Production companies
      • Footprint Films
      • Beagle Pug Films
      • MEP Capital
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross worldwide
      • $2,431,995
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 46 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

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